I know plenty of people say that others can’t sue them because they don’t have money, but don’t they get jail time if they don’t pay?
***Also, what’s the difference between jail, prison, & the penitentiary? Are they all the same?
2007-12-08 07:32:59 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It is called being "judgment proof." If you don't have any assets, they cannot make you pay the money; so most lawyers will advise against suing. A person CAN be sued but if it will do the suer any good is the issue.
From the dictionary: There are differences between jail, prison and penitentiary.
JAIL
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody; specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes —
PRISON
a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers; specifically : an institution (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes —
PENITENTIARY
a public institution in which offenders against the law are confined for detention or punishment; specifically : a state or federal prison in the United States
2007-12-08 09:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by Patti C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can still get sued and have a judgment against you. They can't make you pay if you don't have any money to pay with and they are not allowed to take you house and reasonable living expenses. But if you ever got any money in the future you would have to pay up.
Jail usually refers to a temporary lock up run buy you local police or sheriff. Jail is where they take you when you are first arrested and if necessary they will keep you there until after trial. Once you are convicted they send you off to the state Prison or Penitentiary.
2007-12-08 07:40:45 · answer #2 · answered by Dash 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. You can be sued even if you're poor. Most people won't bother with it, because there's no way to collect. Sometimes people do it for the "moral victory" or because you never know...someone might inherit money or win the Lotto.
2. You can't go to jail for failing to pay a civil judgment. Debtor's prison was done away with many years ago.
3. Jail, prison, the penitentiary, the pokey, the hoosegow, and the clink are all the same.
2007-12-08 07:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can sue an indigent person, but you will not collect any sums awarded to you because he/she has nothing with which to pay.
Jails/Gaols are run by local (city or county) governments. Prisons/Penitentiaries are run by states or the federal government. Usually, you spend time in jail wither waiting for a trial or for violation of a misdemeanor. Prisons and penitentiaries house people convicted of felonies.
2007-12-08 08:19:55 · answer #4 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can sue someone if they don't have money. They may or may not go to jail, depending on many factors. It is unusual, however, to go to jail. Often, they will have their wages garnished for up to 20 years so that you may recover the judgment. Jail, prison and penitentiary are synonymous although jails are usually local while penitentiary and prisons are usually state or federal.
2007-12-08 08:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by Fasar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, anybody can be sued (for almost anything, it appears). The reason people say that people with no money can't be sued is that it is not economically worthwhile. If you win a lawsuit against someone with no money, you have spent a lot of money on lawyers and will not be able to collect anything. There is no such thing as debtors' prison any more. If you are sued for economic damages you can not be imprisoned.
2007-12-08 07:44:56 · answer #6 · answered by The Oracle of Omigod 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A person doesn't usually settle out of court if he is in the right. Money does talk though. If he gets a lawyer, the rich person will have several lawyers, depending on what is a stake. My sister was injured at work and got nothing because her employer was very rich. It doesn't make sense, but he was very threatening to anyone willing to testify for her.
2016-05-22 05:01:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An indigent cannot be sued to pay any amount because how can he pay.
Jail, prison and penitentiary are all the same since all violators are confined therein for rehabilitation and punishment.
2007-12-08 07:39:06 · answer #8 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can't pay you if they don't have any money. You don't go to jail for debts.
2007-12-08 07:38:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no
2007-12-08 07:42:05 · answer #10 · answered by Mary Jo W 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋